With a generous grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Waterfront Regeneration conducted an 18-month trail-wide strategic planning process.

What emerged from stakeholder consultations and the strategic planning process was an expanded vision for a province-wide Great Lakes Waterfront Trail extending from the eastern border of Ontario to the northwest, and an ambitious framework of strategic directions and action priorities corresponding to that expanded vision.

It has been a gratifying process for the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and Staff, and our partners who rallied to the call, as they always seem to. Together we created a plan that reaffirms the core values and standards for Trail development which have guided the Trust from its inception, while setting out plans for partnership and network development, promotion, communications and fund developed that will make it possible to fully realize the original vision of a province-wide trail that is ‘complete and connected’ across the entire St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes waterfront in Ontario.

Vision

Our vision is a continuous Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretching from the eastern border of Ontario to the northwest, incorporating all of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River waterfront in Ontario.

Rooted in the principles that have guided the development of the Waterfront Trail from its beginnings in 1992 we envision a Great Lakes Waterfront Trail that is ‘complete and connected,’ an integral part of each ecosystem it passes through, enhancing the environment, economy, society and history of every community that participates in the development and use of the Trail.

Mission

Working with all levels of government, municipal partners, the private sector, communities and individuals, the WRT brings people, ideas and resources together to regenerate waterfront and complete the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.

In supporting the continuous enhancement of the existing Trail and the development of new parts of the Trail, the work of WRT is guided by the nine principles that frame our commitment to building a healthy waterfront along the entire shoreline of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River in Ontario. In all aspects of our work we strive for a Great Lakes waterfront that is clean, green, connected, accessible, affordable, open, useable, diverse and attractive.

Strategic Direction

Completing, Enhancing, Expanding and Connecting the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

the Land Use Planning Survey–results from a survey reporting on the current policy framework in place relevant to the success of the Waterfront Trail and waterfront regeneration; and

the State of the Trail Report–describes current attributes of the Trail, projects underway shaping the Trail’s improvement and expansion.

Highlights from the WRT work program

Lynde Shores. Participate in the design and implementation of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail through the Lynde Shores section in Whitby for completion by 2015 as part of the PanAm Legacy. The project moves the Trail closer to the water’s edge, off a busy stretch of regional road and by two provincially significant wetlands. Once completed the Waterfront Trail in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area will be family friendly.

Quinte West to Belleville. Following the Lynde Shores announcement (and the successful advocacy that preceded it), closing the gap between Quinte West and Belleville is a priority objective.

Greenbelt Bike Route. In 2013 the WRT entered a three year partnership with the Greenbelt Foundation to build a 460 kilometer bike trail, a major project that will contribute to unifying the whole Greenbelt region, establishing north/south connections from the headwaters, through communities to the Waterfront Trail.

Extending the Waterfront Trail in Lambton Country. Plans are now underway to extend the Trail by about 170 kilometers to Grand Bend.

Building the Waterfront Trail from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie. As the first step toward a major expansion of the Trail on the north shore of Lake Huron, the WRT and our partner, Tourism Northern Ontario, have commenced consultations with communities from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie to expand the Waterfront Trail. The Trail will be designated as Trans Canada Trail as well.

Trail Enhancement: State of the Trail Report. Continue to record trail projects in progress or planned along the Trail. The first ever State of the Trail was presented at the February 2014 partners meeting.

Mapping and Website Development. Ongoing map updates, including for Lake Ontario and the Niagara River Recreation Trail, continues to enhance the availability of information and access to the Trail across its full length.

Great Waterfront Trail Adventure. Continue to organize the fully supported, recreational bike holiday on the Waterfront with the goal of promoting our partner communities, fostering active living and building the Trail’s reputation as a renowned and distinctive tourism attraction.

Ragnar, Adventure Cyclists and the Desjardins Grand Tour: Work with major partners to attract events to the Waterfront Trail especially from markets attractive to our partners.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the many people who served on advisory committees and circles of expertise to help the Waterfront Regeneration Trust board and staff reflect on great input from our partners. We also wish to acknowledge the wonderful support and expertise of the Strategic Planning Team: Bruce Carr, David Kraft of StratComm, Anne McIlroy of Brooks McIlroy, Justin Lafontaine, Kaitlynn Dodge of Brown and Cohen.

Further info on the challenges facing the Great Lakes and other helpful information

Ontario Conservation Authorities–Ontario has 36 conservation authorities who are mandated to ensure the conservation, restoration of and responsible management of Ontario’s water, land and natural habitats. They build and manage many of the beautiful waterfront parks and facilities along the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes Cities Initiative--Canadian and US Mayors collaborate to identify priorities and respond to issues facing the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin.

Lake Ontario Waterkeeper–Canadian charity advocating for swimmable, drinkable, fishable watershed. They have developed the Swimmable Beaches App an excellent guide to our Great Lakes beaches and water quality testing results. Check it out here.

Protecting. Connecting. Celebrating. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

Newsletter Signup

First Name

Last Name

Email *

Yes, I would like to receive emails from Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Constant Contact Use.

By submitting this form, you are granting: Waterfront Regeneration Trust, 4195 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M8X 1Y4, permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy (http://constantcontact.com/legal/privacy-statement) for details.) Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.